There is no specific statement when it comes to civil lawyer definition, however, it is most commonly referred to as a certain type of attorney that acts as a litigator. They are approached and hired by the individuals or clients in order to either pursue or defend a civil lawsuit.
Are you wondering what is a civil attorney or what is a civil rights lawyer? Many people aren’t aware of what civil lawyers do and what their job roles are, how they can help them and why they should hire them to resolve their civil issues.
Civil lawyers commonly recognized as civil attorneys are typically known as litigators who work primarily on civil lawsuits in civil courts. In addition to that, they may also participate in mediation and arbitration when it comes to handling a case outside of the court to help involved parties come to a table and make an agreement of mutual interests. Such trial may not always take place in the courtroom rather in:
- State court
- Local court
- Federal court
- Foreign tribunals
- Administrative agencies
Table of Contents
What Does a Civil Lawyer Do?
As stated, civil lawyers represent their clients in non-criminal lawsuits. Their clients can be businesses, individuals or even government entities. They aimed at helping people resolve their civil disputes and issues. In addition to that, they provide legal advice and strategies for their clients’ civil cases. Moreover, the answer to the query “what do civil litigation lawyers do” is they represent their clients in a wide array of proceedings including mediation, pretrial hearings, arbitration, deposition, and the trial itself.
Some crucial job duties and responsibilities civil lawyers will partake in include:
- File motions
- Negotiate settlements or negotiation
- Research of relevant laws
- Draft up legal documents
- Take part in deposition hearings
- Investigate activities in relevance to the case
- Make court appearances on behalf of their client
Requirements for Qualifications
Civil lawyers are required to acquire a bachelor’s degree from a law college or a university. However, a specific background isn’t mandatory in order to get enrolled in a law school and further pursue a career as a lawyer. In fact, most law schools appreciate aspiring candidates with diverse backgrounds. Nevertheless, coursework, training and practice in public speaking, history, economics, mathematics and government are highly recommended for a promising future ahead.
Necessary Skills
Apart from qualifications, a civil attorney is required to have additional skills to get a competitive edge throughout their career. Skills they need include:
- Persuasion
- Problem-solving
- Pressure handling
- Interpersonal skills
- Attentive to details
- Updated knowledge
- Strong communication
- Daring and courageous
- Transparency and credibility
- Critical thinking and analyzing
- Eager to learn the latest things – quick learner
Why Hire a Civil Lawyer?
Filing a lawsuit and getting into court processes on your own might come with numerous financial and legal issues. In addition, you may also have to navigate complex laws as well as convoluted legal language which is another difficult thing to do on your own. A qualified and experienced civil litigation attorney can help you with each of your issues and concerns:
- Can negotiate with defendants.
- He knows what your case is worth.
- Offers you peace of mind during the case.
- Can gather evidence for proving a case.
- Protect your legal rights and help navigate laws.
- Can complete enough paperwork for you to win the case.
When to Hire a Civil Attorney?
There can be numerous reasons why individuals, businesses or associates would go for hiring a civil attorney for their case. Hence, if you are struggling with a situation where you want to sue someone or be sued by someone, you are certain to get a consultation from a civil lawyer as soon as possible. A civil law attorney will listen to your matter, address your situation, assess the whole case and then help you take appropriate action.
What is a Civil Lawyer vs. a Criminal Lawyer?
Many people confuse the role of a civil lawyer with a criminal lawyer. However, they both are pretty different in terms of the nature of work. A criminal lawyer defends businesses, individuals or companies involved in crimes prohibited as per state laws in any country or because of the violation of laws and regulations. In a criminal case, the state or the federal government files the case. A criminal lawyer’s responsibility is to lessen punishment for their clients. Common criminal cases include assault, domestic violence, tax evasion, theft, homicide, and more.
The civil lawyer on the other hand represents the client, then handles the litigation. Civil attorneys have the right to take civil cases, and each party pays for their legal representation. Civil lawyers deal with the private rights of individuals.
Types of Civil Law
There are kinds of disputes and issues that fall under the preview of civil laws including:
- Family law
- Property law
- Corporate law
- Personal injury law
How Much Does a Civil Attorney Cost?
If you hire a civil attorney to litigate your case, you might pay approximately $200 an hour to a junior, while paying a senior partner more or less $800 per hour. However, civil lawyer costs may vary in accordance with your case requirements.
What to Expect from Your Civil Attorney?
A civil lawyer keeps an in-depth knowledge of the latest civil laws, rules, and regulations and treats their clients under the guidelines. They are all well capable of understanding all the non-criminal areas of a legal dispute between two associates and suggesting the best possible solution to resolve that issue. Civil disputes that civil attorneys have to deal with for their clients include personal relationship issues including child custody, divorce, financial issues and more, disputes between individuals like frauds, and property disputes as a whole. Hence, you can expect that your respected lawyer would help you sort out the case that goes in your best interests.
Final Thoughts
It is not wise to deal with your issues on your own as it may make them get even worse ultimately. It is highly suggested to get help from a professional civil lawyer who can help you navigate state laws in relevance to your case and you end up winning your case.